Talk:Coventry

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Contents 1 Coventry bombing 2 Elephant and Castle 3 New format 4 Dodgy phrasing 5 Stivichall 6 Henry VII 7 The Peace Gardens 8 Celtic Origins? 9 Union Theological Seminary 10 Changed distances 11 Lady Godiva 12 History section 13 Shakeel Goulthorp 14 Suburbs 15 Cathedral Ruins picture 16 Twin cities 17 "The Quiet City"

[edit] Coventry bombing

I thought the reason Hitler picked Coventry to bomb was that he suspected that his cipher was being broken, so he chose a militarily unexpected place to attack, so that if the Brits defended it, the Germans would know that the Brits broke the cipher. -phma

I didn't know that. I read that they had broken the cipher, but deliberately let Coventry be bombed. -- Tarquin 16:34 Apr 12, 2003 (UTC)

The myth that Coventry was sacrificed in a conspiracy to protect the Enigma information has been long laid to rest. Quite simply, it is untrue. See John Ray's The Night Blitz (Arms and Armour, 1996) for a sober analysis of events. Prune 21:28, 30 Nov 2003 (UTC)

There should be a concise statement refuting the widespread idea that Coventry was deliberately sacrificed. I'd add it myself, but I don't know the facts. (In fact, that's why I came here in the first place.) — Jeff Q 00:29, 14 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I thought it was Dresden that was bombed in retalliation by Churchill, not Hamburg?

Phillip Knightly wrote: "Coventry was actually a legitimate military target, one of the keys to the British war effort" containing such plants as the Standard Motor Co., the British Piston Ring Co., and Kaimler motor works and Alvis aero-engine factory. Coventry was well known for being a producer of tanks and armoured cars.

I first heard about the cipher/Coventry link in an episode of "Babylon 5". Whether it's a legend or the truth, here's how I understand it: the British had broken the German code, but it was of strategic importance that the Germans not know, at least for a time; thus, although they knew Coventry was to be bombed, if they made preparations to evacuate the city or relocate critical mobile infrastructure, the Germans would be tipped off, and change the Enigma code to something else. I think Captain Sheridan faced a similar problem of tipping his hand. GBC 16:36, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Daimler's Radford factory after the Blitz

[edit] Elephant and Castle

Can somebody write something as to why this is on the crest? (I personally do not know and would like to.) It is the most striking feature of the crest, much more so than the "Black Prince Cat" that is referred to. It is also the symbol of CCFC, is it not (an elephant standing on a football)? --Farmhouse121 04:50, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

The trouble is that as far as I am aware the reason for this is actually unknown, although there is a hypothesis that it might be a corruption of "the Infanta of Castille". PatGallacher 18:41, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] New format

Well I must say, this new format is a complete mess, what was wrong with the layout before. The flow of the article has been completely destroyed G-Man 00:06, 22 Dec 2003 (UTC)

That looks better G-Man 00:38, 22 Dec 2003 (UTC)

[edit] Dodgy phrasing

"Dresden, which was destroyed just after the end of the German Wehrmacht defend. 140.000 civilists died in Feb. 1945. by RAF - bombing. The partnership is deeply supported by the populace in both cities; representatively for the entire English people...."

What the heck?! I'd rephrase but I don't know what you're trying to say. May I politely suggest you learn to use English properly first before you contribute to en.wikipedia? pomegranate 01:25, Nov 13, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Stivichall

The Suburbs of Coventry section of the article describes the suburb as Styvechale (also spelled Stivichall). Every map I have spells it Stivichall, and googling gives 12,900 hits for Stivichall and only 746 for Styvechale. Unless someone can substantiate the superiority of the latter, then I propose the text be altered to Stivichall (also spelled Styvechale). DWaterson 20:40, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

Definitely known as Stivichall (and source of spelling corrections requested by Coventry school teachers during the 80's). --Farmhouse121 04:42, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

I lived in Baginton Road for 23 years, and along with our neighbours referred to the district as Styvechale. Very confusing for me as a youngster attending Stivichall infant/junior school! Red Sunset 23:34, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Henry VII

About miracle plays being seen by "Henry VII in 1584."

I'm not sure what the source is for this, but it's misquoted or wrong: Henry VII died in 1509, Henry VIII died in 1547, and we haven't had a Henry since.

Most likely it was Henry VII, but not in 1584, or even 1484. It's just possible that it was 1485, which is a potential typo, provided it was after August.

203.97.107.139 10:50, 13 April 2006 (UTC)Cathi

[edit] The Peace Gardens

I can't find a mention anywhere of the peace gardens situated in each of Coventry's wards. I think it's well worth adding since each is linked to one of the twin cities. If anyone has the time to find out where each one is and which cities they are representing it would be good. I know they also contain 3 trees but right now I can't think what 3 they are.

It could also be a good way to clean up the suburbs section using the wards instead and incorporate the twin cities and peace gardens. Especuially with the local elections coming.

What does everybody think? - MrJ 14:03, Apr 23, 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Celtic Origins?

You've listed the Cofa's tree story, but maybe you could add the possible celtic origin of the name Coventry. "Cof yn Tre" (Pronounced identically) is welsh for "Memoriam in the town/settlement" http://www.coventry.historians.co.uk/brum.htm gives more information --Throquzum 05:05, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

Both of these stories were discussed as having equal merit when I was studying it (at St. Bartholmew's Junior School in Ernsford Grange). --Farmhouse121 04:46, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Union Theological Seminary

I don't know what the stuff below was doing at the top of the Coventry page. There doesn't seem to be any connection. So, I moved it here.

Union Theological Seminary may refer to:

   * Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, an ecumenical seminary affiliated with Columbia University in Manhattan
   * Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education, in Richmond, Virginia

Neither of these two "Union" seminaries should be confused with the following seminaries:

   * United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in New Brighton, Minnesota, affiliated with the United Church of Christ
   * United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, affiliated with the United Methodist Church
   * Unification Theological Seminary in Barrytown, New York, affiliated with the Unification Church

[edit] Changed distances

I'm not sure why some of the distances to local towns have been increased by 1 mile/2km each - maybe somone could explain this? Inner Earth 16:35, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

The distance from Coventry to Church Lawford is 7 miles and from Church Lawford to Rugby is five miles (I know that from many busses taken in my youth), so this distance at least is correct. --Farmhouse121 04:38, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lady Godiva

In all my time growing up in Coventry I never heard anybody suggest that she was "bareback" rather than "naked." Why would Peeping Tom want to look at somebody riding bareback (that's pretty common) and why would the rest of the residents shun such a view of support? Can whoever wrote this cite it please?

The Lady Godiva statue used to stand in the open on center of the roundabout that was placed between the start of the short branch to the precinct and the edge of the Cathedral Close (near Holy Trinity). I added a comment to this effect and also about the bust of Peeping Tom from one of the bridges over the precinct (I don't know if that is still there, since I now live in New Jersey, but I think it's notable). --Farmhouse121 04:38, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] History section

The history section on this article is getting a bit long. we already have a detailed history article at History of Coventry where much of this should go. I dont have time to do this myself at the mo however. It would be nice if someone could merge this into the history artcle. Leaving just a summary on the main page. G-Man * 15:18, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

besides it says a play was performed in front of Henry VII in 1584. He had been dead a rather long time by this point so probably didn't get into the action as much as he shold have done if he had still been alive. The coventry plays ceased being performed during the reformation so this must have been a special one off performed specially for the dead king.

[edit] Shakeel Goulthorp

Shakeel Goulthorp is also listed on the Bedworth page, so its a bit moot if he should be in Cov, but he is pretty well known so I'm reverting the recent deletion of him. Just saying "who" isn't sufficient explanation for the deletion. MarkThomas 10:36, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Suburbs

I think that rather than just a list it may be better to get one of those pink maps showing the different areas, each marked with a number which can then go against the entry in the list. This would give readers some sort of geography of the areas.

To be even more adventurous we could get a set of maps of the city, one for each area with it marked in red, for dropping on to the different suburb pages.

Keith D 15:59, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

I have thought that a map of the suburbs would be useful, but I do not known how to make one. It there another town that has used this method for suburbs? Snowman 21:38, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

I too do not know how to get the maps. Have a look at Nottingham for an example. Keith D 21:59, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cathedral Ruins picture

I was in Coventry for a business meeting on Monday, and took a camera as I wanted to take a picture of the old Cathedral for my own collection. It was raining a bit, so I nearly didn't bother. When I got there, there was a beautifully positioned rainbow, so I'm glad that I did - proof there is a God? I've uploaded to Commons here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Coventry_Cathedral_Ruins_with_Rainbow.jpg The equivalent picture from G-Man is perfectly adequate IMO, but if other editors prefer my picture, I will leave it for them to make the change. --Walker44 19:18, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Your picture with the rainbow is very nice. I think it should be used. Snowman 21:35, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

It's a bit dark. G-Man * 14:28, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Twin cities

Don't understand the statement "It started after World War II when Coventry twinned with Dresden as an act of peace". Yet in the table it states: Dresden, Germany 1959! I also note that the earliest twinning date for a city is Volgograd, Russia 1944 followed by Kiel, Germany 1947 and Lidice, Czech Republic 1947. So, someone care to track down the facts and/or correct the text? RCEberwein | Talk 02:59, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

When I added the dates in the table I took the information from this website: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/community-and-living/international-links/twin-cities/ MrJ 22:22, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "The Quiet City"

I had heard from various sources that being "sent to Coventry" was more about getting the silent treatment from colleagues, etc. as a form of punishment for a period of time, particularly in the British army among officers. This is because, or so it is said, the people of Coventry are unusually quiet. Perhaps this is because of its monastic beginnings followed further by its industrial/working-class nature? Or do I have this impression all wrong? Does anyone care to comment, especially anyone who lives there?

Send to Coventry discusses this. DWaterson 20:10, 25 February 2007 (UTC)